One year ago this week, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther was walking in from practice along with former Bengals Pro Bowl left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Guenther had seen a defensive end for Jacksonville on tape as he prepared for the preseason game against the Jaguars.

The Bengals quickly learned in person what Smith could do as he racked up one sack, two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss against Cincinnati in that week’s preseason game.

At that point, Guenther discussed Smith with player personnel director Duke Tobin and acknowledged if the Bengals ever had a chance to acquire him, he’d be in full support. The chance came April 11 when the club sent a conditional seventh-round pick to the Jags for the 25-year-old out of Arkansas.

This preseason Smith has Guenther talking again.

Pro Football Focus ranked Smith the top graded edge rusher in the NFL through the first two weeks of the preseason. His seven QB hits leads the NFL and against Kansas City he notched a hit on Alex Smith as well a sack in the second half.

On a team which spent the offseason in a desperate hunt for edge rushers, Smith is making a case to fill the void. But after spending his first three years languishing on the bench in Jacksonville, he’s mostly thrilled to be given a fair shake.

“When I first got traded Paul told me he was going to give me every opportunity to rush the passer,” Smith said. “That is good coming from him.”

Smith only took 311 defensive snaps in three years with Jacksonville, never topping 13 percent in a season. He was inactive for 10 games last year. In his first appearance, he sacked Andrew Luck, then was pushed back to the inactive list the next two weeks.

A fresh start and a collection of coaches and teammates who embraced him have proven an ideal mix and second chance in the NFL.

“I love it here,” Smith said. “With vets and older guys, we expect each other’s best. I go out there and feel like I not only have to prove myself to my coaches, but I have to prove myself to my teammates. All them boys welcomed me in with open arms.”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) is rushed by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Chris Smith (94) who breaks up the pass in the fourth quarter of the NFL Preseason Week 1 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. The Bengals won the preseason opener, 23-12.(Photo: Sam Greene)

Smith proved he can destroy the backups in the second half, but the question determining if he makes this roster revolves around showing disruption against the starters. Guenther rotated Smith in with the first team early last week and Smith notched a quarterback hit in limited snaps.

There’s a frustration in needing to make an impact against starters in the preseason because of the small sample size and safe game plans.

“You get a lot of draws, runs, three steps,” Smith said. “It’s so hard. Those are their ones, they don’t want their starter to get hit or injured. It gets so frustrating. Sometimes Carlos (Dunlap) comes off the sideline saying man, I’m getting all these short sets. You can’t get frustrated. You have to keep rushing.”

If Smith keeps reaching the quarterback, he’ll be impossible to leave off the 53 and active gameday roster. He’s in the middle of a number crunch at edge rusher with rookies Jordan Willis and Carl Lawson as well as fourth-year end Will Clarke in the mix for snaps and spots.